The nexus of water-, energy- and food-security has been discussed and conceptualized for a long time, also in the context of climate change. There is broad agreement that a coordinated approach and cooperation across sectors can generate synergies and co-benefits and reduce negative externalities. A coordinated approach is much needed, especially in the MENA (Middle East - North Africa) region, as it faces pressing resource degradation and scarcities, severe climate risk, various other security issues and ongoing transformations of water, energy and agricultural systems.
Inspired by the broad agreement, the challenge is now to operationalize and implement the nexus. That is best done through a process of integrating or mainstreaming nexus principles and tools into ongoing and newly designed strategies, policies and activities. To this end the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement offers a number of concrete entry points, important ones being countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the NDC partnership with more than 40 partner countries (and Morocco as a pilot country). Nexus principles and tools can add significant value to countries’ planning and implementation efforts, including by facilitating the integration of climate change adaptation and mitigation.
These ideas were discussed at a side event at COP22, organised by GIZ, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the EU Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) and GFA Consulting Group. A follow up workshop, organized in collaboration with the NDC Partnership, will be held in early 2017 to make the suggestions made at the COP22 side event more concrete.